HUL: The Shower #startalittlegood (PSA December 2018)

~ Kolla Krishna Madhavi

"Thoda sa paani...kissike zindagi badal sakti hai!"

Conceptualised by Ogilvy Mumbai and directed by Bauddhayan Mukherji from Little Lamb Films Pvt. Ltd., the compelling story of "The Shower" unfolds in Mangalaram ki Dhaani, one of Rajasthan's most arid villages. 

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.: The Shower
Image Courtesy: Hindustan Unilever Ltd., SocialSamosa

A farmer while returning home chances upon a shower cubicle in the middle of the desert. Curious, he opens the shower door. When he turns on the tap and water begins to flow, his first instinct is to simply "drink" the precious water. 

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.: The Shower
Image Courtesy: Hindustan Unilever Ltd., Exchange4Media

Soon, other villagers gather and start drinking in turns from the shower. There are joyous and wondrous faces all around!

It is poignant to see a mother feed her baby with the water directly from the shower (unlike the 'boiling and filtering of water' mindset which is more prevalent). Another woman collects water in a pot with a delighted smile on her face. 

The visuals simply tug at one's heartstrings!

While a privileged few with access to running water do not hesitate to spend hours in a shower wasting precious resources, in sharp contrast are those in dire need, struggling to get even clean drinking water within walking distance. 

Hindustan Unilever Ltd.: The Shower
Image Courtesy: Hindustan Unilever Ltd.

As a part of Hindustan Unilever Ltd's (HUL) CSR initiative 'Start A Little Good', the film shows the polarity between accessibility and consumption of water in an urban setting vis-a-vis a barren village environment. As on date, HUL has been able to save 450 billion litres of water with its efforts. Although commendable, it may still be a few drops in a parched land.

Half a village can quench their thirst with the amount of water consumed in just one shower.

The message is loud and clear...let us  #startalittlegood ...have a shorter shower and turn off the tap - conserve a little water each time and make that crucial difference!

Incidentally, the water used in the film was recycled and given to the villagers.

     

                                                                               Hindustan Unilever Ltd | The Shower #startalittlegood
                                                Video Courtesy: Hindustan Unilever Ltd., Ogilvy Mumbai, Little Lamb Films, YouTube

Images Courtesy: Hindustan Unilever Ltd, Ogilvy Mumbai, Google Images and other online resources.
Video Courtesy: Hindustan Unilever Ltd., Ogilvy Mumbai, Little Lamb Films Pvt. Ltd., YouTube & other online resources.

Resources:
https://www.socialsamosa.com/2018/12/hindustan-unilever-the-shower-campaign/
https://www.bestadsontv.com/ad/99211/Unilever-India-Hindustan-Unilever-Limited-The-Shower
https://www.exchange4media.com/advertising-news/does-hindustan-unilevers-viral-ad-film-the-shower-strike-a-chord-93566.html
http://www.adageindia.in/advertising/sustainable-living-brands-have-grown-nearly-50-faster-than-other-brands-says-huls-corporate-team/articleshow/67352505.cms
https://www.mumbrella.asia/2018/12/start-a-little-good-for-unilever-india-kicks-off-with-film-about-a-shower-cubicle-in-a-desert

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